今天想來說說在西雅圖最讓我印象深刻之一的景點，西雅圖的Harbor Steps ，也稱為Harbor Steps Park，據說是西雅圖版的羅馬西班牙階梯，其實它就是一個連結市中心到海濱的階梯兼公共空間，該空間設有設有兩座噴泉及植物，加上當時樹上也有聖誕燈飾，所以從高處望下去是真的滿美的。
這個景點不是個觀光勝地，只是我在市中心到處溜躂遇到的一個處所而已，但為什麼我會記憶如此深刻，因此自從到訪這個景點後，我的大腿就直接廢了，導致一度想中止旅行，只想飛回台灣。
本來在西雅圖的停留時間就夠短了，所以我真的是非常認真在到處觀光，但大部的景點必須徒步，於是就發生了個可怕的事件。
Harbor Steps 四周也充滿了公寓、飯店和辦公室，感覺是個非常適合居住的空間，不過四周高樓看起來非常高檔，感覺有點貴，但是不妨礙大家坐在Harbor Steps的椅子上聊天。
其實到達Harbor Steps 牌子時，從遠遠望去隱隱約約可以看到港口的景致，這也是促使我走下階梯的動力，懷著好奇興奮的心情開始探索此地，沒想到它的每層階梯過大，所以我一不小心就拉傷了大腿，本來以為只是一時的小拉傷，沒想到痛到無法再往下走，於是我只好坐在該空間的椅子休憩。
本來還想往港口走去，無奈我的大腿不配合，我只好放棄夜間行程，極其緩慢地爬上階梯，還要努力不讓別人看出來自己的腿痛，簡直是個大挑戰，後來回到旅館時，連換個褲子都痛到不行，真的是被整的夠嗆。
於是我的腿痛伴隨了我大部分的西雅圖觀光，後來連回到溫哥華時，我買了一些肌肉拉傷外敷藥來使用，疼痛仍然不減，我當時都害怕我的腿可能會留下後遺症，好險身體在時間作用下還是恢復了，必須說旅程裡受傷真的會特別令人沮喪，但也因此也為了旅程中的一大記憶點。
One of the most memorable spots I encountered in Seattle wasn't exactly a major tourist attraction, but rather a place I stumbled upon while wandering around downtown. What makes it so unforgettable is that after visiting this spot, my thigh completely gave out, and I even considered cutting my trip short and flying back to Taiwan.
My stay in Seattle was already short, so I was really trying to make the most of it and visit as many sights as possible. Most of the attractions required a lot of walking, and that’s when a nightmare happened.
The Harbor Steps, also known as Harbor Steps Park, is often referred to as Seattle’s version of the Spanish Steps in Rome. It’s basically a set of stairs that connects the downtown area to the waterfront, complete with fountains, plants, and at the time, Christmas lights in the trees. The view from the top was absolutely beautiful.
Around the Harbor Steps, there are plenty of apartments, hotels, and office buildings, so it feels like a really livable area. The surrounding high-rise buildings look quite fancy, and it seemed like an expensive neighborhood, but it didn’t stop people from sitting on the benches at Harbor Steps, chatting and relaxing.
When I first saw the sign for Harbor Steps from afar, I could vaguely see the waterfront below, and that was enough to spark my curiosity. Excited to explore, I started walking down the stairs, not realizing that each step was longer than I expected. I ended up pulling a muscle in my thigh. At first, I thought it was just a mild strain, but the pain became so intense that I couldn’t walk any further, so I had to sit down on one of the benches in the area to rest.
I had originally planned to head down to the waterfront, but with my leg in pain, I had to give up my evening plans. Slowly, I climbed back up the stairs, trying my best not to show how much pain I was in—definitely a challenge. By the time I made it back to my hotel, changing my pants was so painful I could hardly bear it. I felt completely defeated.
The pain in my leg stayed with me for most of my sightseeing in Seattle, and even after I got back to Vancouver, I had to buy some muscle relief ointment, but the pain still didn’t go away. I was really worried that my leg might have permanent damage. Fortunately, over time, my body healed, but I have to say that getting injured during a trip can be really discouraging, even though it became one of the major memories of my time in Seattle.